Creating Arcs

The Arc tool, which creates circular arcs of any angle, has seven modes. The Push/Pull mode is available in 3D views for instantly extruding the arc after creation.

The Arc tool and Quarter Arc tool share the same position on the Basic palette. Click and hold the mouse on the visible tool to open the Pop-out Tools list and select the desired tool.

Either move the mouse to draw the arc or use the Data bar to enter an angle. Degrees start on the positive X axis (the “East” direction), and increase going counter-clockwise. (“East” is 0 degrees; “North” is 90 degrees; and “West” is 180 degrees.) To draw a quarter-circle arc beginning at 0 degrees and ending at the 6 o’clock position, enter -90 (minus 90) degrees. Enter 270 to draw an arc three-quarters of a circle around.

To create a NURBS curve, draw an arc and then select Modify > Convert > Convert to NURBS.

To edit an arc, click the middle handle with the Selection tool and drag to change the arc radius. Press the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) to change the arc’s size.

Arc by Radius

To create an arc by its radius:

1. Click the tool and mode.

2. Click to set the center of the arc.

3. Click the start point of the arc. Move the cursor until the desired arc orientation and size are previewed.

4. Click to set the end point of the arc.

Arc by Three Points

To create an arc by three points:

1. Click the tool and mode.

2. Click to set the start point of the arc.

3. Click to set the point for the arc to pass through. Move the cursor until the desired arc orientation and size is previewed.

4. Click to set the end point of the arc.

Arc Tangent to Line

To create an arc by tangent:

1. Click the tool and mode.

2. Click to set the start point of the arc.

3. Click to define the line to which the arc will be tangent. Move the cursor until the desired arc orientation and size is previewed.

4. Click to set the end point of the arc.

Use tangent snapping to assist with drawing the arc tangent to geometry; see Snap to Tangent (2D Only).

Arc by Center

To create an arc by two points and center:

1. Click the tool and mode.

2. Click to set the start point of the arc.

3. Click to set the end point of the arc.

As the cursor moves, the center of the arc is manipulated.

4. Click outside the arc to set the center.

Arc by Specified Radius

To create an arc by two points and a specified radius:

1. Click the tool and mode.

2. Click to set the start point of the arc.

3. Click to set the end point of the arc.

The Arc Radius dialog box opens. Enter the length of the radius.

Arc by Point on Arc

To create an arc by two end points and another point on the arc:

1. Click the tool and mode.

2. Click to set the start point of the arc.

3. Click to set the end point of the arc.

4. Move the cursor until the desired arc shape and size is previewed, and then click to set the arc. To constrain the angle of the line between the arc endpoints, press the Shift key when drawing the arc.

Arc by Arc Length

To create an arc by arc length and chord length:

1. Click the tool and mode.

2. Click to set the start point of the arc.

3. Click to set the end point of the arc.

The Arc Length dialog box opens; set the parameters.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Creating Extruded Arcs

To extrude a created arc:

1. In a 3D view, click the tool and mode.

2. Create an arc using any of the modes in the Tool bar.

3. With the arc still selected, click, move the cursor, and then click to create the extrude.

An arc can be extruded at any time with the Push/Pull tool. See Direct Modeling with the Push/Pull Tool.

The extrude height and radius can be changed with the Reshape tool (see Reshaping Extruded Objects and Solid Primitives), the radius can be modified from the Object Info palette, and the resolution can be adjusted through the 3D Conversion Resolution setting (see Vectorworks Preferences: 3D Tab).

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Arc into Segments

Creating Quarter Arcs

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